Minnesota Vikings vs. Carolina Panthers Prediction, Pick, Odds: Expect a Kirk Cousins, Bryce Young Shootout
The 0-3 Carolina Panthers host the 0-3 Minnesota Vikings this Sunday. Can we expect a Kirk Cousins and Bryce Young shootout? NFL handicapper Matt MacKay provides his prediction and pick for Panthers vs. Vikings.
Matt MacKay - September 29, 2023, 2:23 PM EDT
7 minMinnesota Vikings vs. Carolina Panthers Prediction, Pick, Odds: Expect a Kirk Cousins, Bryce Young Shootout
Two of the league's four 0-3 teams will play each other in Week 4 as the Carolina Panthers host the Minnesota Vikings at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.
It's been a shockingly bad start for the Vikings, who won a bunch of close games in 2022. They have lost a couple of close games down the stretch, but quarterback Kirk Cousins cannot be faulted like he usually is, since he's leading the NFL in passing touchdowns (9) and passing yards (1,075) with a top-six completion percentage. Minnesota is loaded with pass-catching weapons, but they have yet to put a complete game together, losing on their final possession at the goal-line with a ball batted up into the air by tight end T.J. Hockenson that would've been the go-ahead score against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 3.
Carolina looked a lot better on offense with Andy Dalton replacing Bryce Young under center in Week 3 against Seattle. However, Young is probable to return from his ankle injury in Week 4, meaning we could see the Panthers' offense stall out once again. The good news for Carolina is that the Vikings' defense is among the worst in the league, plus several of their starters are tagged questionable heading into this matchup.
Cousins could have a field day against an injured Panthers secondary, which has been good through three weeks, ranking eighth in touchdown percentage against the pass at 2.2 percent. Conversely, the Vikings are allowing a 6.7 percent touchdown rate, which is fourth-highest in the league.
Will we finally see Minnesota get their first win this season? Or will the Panthers take advantage of the soft defensive matchup and pull off the outright win as 4.5-point home underdogs? NFL handicapper Matt MacKay is back with his latest prediction and pick for Panthers vs. Vikings.
Vikings vs. Panthers Start Time, Where To Watch, And Odds
- Date: Sunday, October 1, 2023
- Game Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
- Where to Watch: FOX
Vikings vs. Panthers Odds
- Spread: Vikings -4.5 (-106), Panthers +4.5 (-114)
- Total Odds: Under 46.5 (-110), Over 46.5 (-110)
- Moneyline Odds: Vikings (-210), Panthers (+176)
Minnesota Vikings vs. Carolina Panthers Injury Report
Vikings
Questionable: S Lewis Cine (Hamstring), CB Byron Murphy Jr. (Hip), S Josh Metellus (Shoulder), C Garrett Bradbury (Back), LB Marcus Davenport (Ankle)
Out: N/A
Panthers
Probable: QB Bryce Young (Ankle)
Questionable: RB Miles Sanders (Groin), WR Jonathan Mingo (Concussion)
Out: CB Xavier Woods (Hamstring), LB Shaq Thompson (Leg), CB Jaycee Horn (Hamstring)
Minnesota Vikings vs. Carolina Panthers Prediction
Carolina has lost four of its last five games SU, while failing to cover the spread in six of its last seven home games played in October. The Vikings have won five consecutive games as road favorites, while five of the last six head-to-head matchups against the Panthers has resulted in the point total line cashing the over.
Oddsmakers have the point total line set at 46.5, -110 on either side, implying that this game could turn into a shootout. We expect production from Cousins and the Vikings' potent passing attack, but the Panthers will need to channel Bryce Young's upside to move the chains as effectively as Dalton did against the Seahawks in Week 3. Don't forget about the Panthers' emerging WR1, Adam Thielen, who is playing a revenge game against his former team. Thielen has looked good the past two games, even with Young under center, hauling in a couple of touchdowns and also leading the Panthers' wide receiving corps in receptions and yards.
On paper, this is a game Minnesota should win without much difficulty. However, in reality, it always feels like the Vikings commit turnovers, penalties, or other miscues that result in their opponent hanging around or maintaining a lead into the fourth quarter. The Panthers have lucrative moneyline odds at +176, but if we're betting anything Carolina, it has to be +4. 5 ATS.
Both of these teams are 0-2-1 ATS and 1-2 in point total, with two of their three games going under the point total line. This changes in Week 4 on a fast track in Carolina with two defenses that are either injured or struggling to make stops against their opponent. 46.5 points isn't enough, this line should be 48.5 at least. So, let's wager a couple of units on this matchup going over 46.5 at -110 odds on FanDuel Sportsbook in what could quickly become a back-and-forth shootout between two NFC opponents desperate for their first win of the season.
Minnesota Vikings vs. Carolina Panthers Pick
- Pick: Over 46.5 -110 is currently the best odds. Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds for this pick
NFL Odds
